Socket for incandescent lamps.



No. 716,487. PatentadDe. 23, 1902.

A. P. szvmuun.

SOCKET FUR INGANDESGENT LAMPS.

(Application file (i Feb. 4, 1902.)

(No Model.)

'WI-TNESSES: INVENTOR I fl fi/ rf T77 694 7 BY 7K w fi/mmw Q 7 ATTORNEY llNrrnn STATES ALBERT P. SEYMOUR, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

SOCKET F OR INCANDESCENT LAMPS.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,487, dated December 23, 1902.

Serial No. 92,501. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT P. SEYMOUR, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new. and useful Improvements in Sockets for Incandescent Lamps, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an incandescent electric socket of the so-called waterproof type; audit consists in simple and economical means for securing the contact terminals firmly in place and making good connections with the line-wires.

The essential features of the invention are the porcelain shell, having at its lower end the hollow mouth to receive the contact-terminals engaging with the lam p-base and with three apertures extending therefrom to the upper surface, in one of which is arranged the central terminal and its securing means, and in the other two the line-wires and the peculiar rivets forsecuring the outer terminal in place. My invention will be understood by reference to the drawings herewith, in which the referencenumerals of the specification indicate the same parts in all the figures.

Figure I is a vertical section of my socket with the line-wires connected. Figs. II and III are cross-sections, respectively, on lines II II and III III. Fig. 1V is a vertical section of the porcelain shell without the metallic parts. Fig. V is a corresponding section showing a WVestinghouse terminal held in position by the two rivets. Fig. VI shows two diiferent styles of the solid rivets. Fig. VII is an isometric view of a desirable form of channeled rivet to receive the line-wire. Fig. VIII is a longitudinal section of a tubular rivet for the same purpose.

In the figures, 1 indicates the base or shell, of porcelain or other suitable insulating material, having the exterior groove 3, to receive the shade-holder, and the hollow mouth 4:, from which extend the center aperture 6 and the line-wire or rivet apertures 7 8 to receive, re spectively, the retaining means and connections for the central terminal and for the outer or metallic shell-terminal 9 of the common Edison type (shown in Fig. I) or Westinghouse type. (Shown in Fig. V.) Of these rivet-apertures there may be any desired number,though two, as here shown, are sufficient, preferably with enlargements at their upper ends to receive the unstripped ends of the line-wires.

These two enlargements are of different depths, as shown in the vertical sections, to permit the retaining-rivet to be connected to or insulated from its line-wires, and at its upper portion aperture 7, having the deeper enlargement, is connected to aperture 6 by slot 11.

The outer terminal is provided with the flange 10, setting against the porcelain base, with which engage the points of the two rivets 12 and 13, having their heads arranged, respectively, in the enlargements of the apertures 7 and 8 and their shanks extending through the smaller portion of said apertures, so that their points may be upset to engage with the flange of the circular or outer terminal, holding it securely in position without other means. One of these rivetsfor instance 12, arranged in aperture 7is longer than the other and must be made hollow to receive the stripped portion 14 of one of the line-wires 15, which is drawn through the tubular rivet and upset at 16, where it is also soldered securely to hold it in position, thus making a good connection between theline-wire, the hollow rivet, and the terminal. In the other aperture, 8, having the deeper enlargement, is arranged the shorter rivet 13, which may be hollow, solid, or of other desirable construction and having its point upset to engage with the flange of the outer terminal. This may be soldered in place, if desired, but it is not necessary. The head of this rivet is covered with some insulating material at 18, and the enlargement above it receives the unstripped portion of the line-wire 17, whose stripped portion 14 extends through slot 11 into aperture 6, where it is firmly secured to the threaded shank 20 of the central terminal by nut 21, which also secures the terminal in position. From shank 20 extends down into the mouth of the socket the integral head 22, having slot 23 for tightening and loosening by means of the screw-driver, and carrying the spiral contact-spring 24, one of whose coils is gripped or clamped under the head. This contact-spring affords good yielding contact with the base or central terminal on the lamp-base and by the pressure it exerts thereon prevents the accidental disengagement of the lamp from the socket by vibration. The mouth is provided with the depression 25 to receive the terminal head and spiral spring, insuring insulation and permitting a desirable length of spring. The upper portion of the apertures over the nut and around the line-Wires may be filled with any suitable insulating cement, as shown in Fig. I.

In Figs. VII and VIII, I have illustrated desirable forms of hollow rivets, either channeled or tubular, as there indicated, which are necessarily used on one side to permit the passage of the line-wire. On the other side tubular rivets maybe used, if desired, or the desirable shorter solid rivets. (Shown in Fig. VI.) These various forms of rivets may be easily and cheaply stamped from suitable stock.

Heretofore the outer terminal has been held in place by various cumbersome and expensive means, such as a comparatively heavy ring secured in the mouth of the socket by fastening-screws from the back, to which the terminal is secured by distinct means or by use of insulating-cement, such as sulfur, which is objectionable, because it swells, easily cracks, and corrodes the metallic parts.

By my invention I have avoided the use and expense of additional parts, cements,&c., and have produced a waterproof socket of simple and economical construction, in which the outer terminal is secured in place firmly with little danger of detachmentby the rivets on both sides. These rivets of the forms here shown are easily and cheaply stamped out and easily secured in position, making the assembling simple, quick, and easy. Furthermore, the line-wires are firmly secured to the socket, making good connection with the terminals without danger of getting out of placeand making a short circuit, and good contact and connection is made with the lampbase.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. As a new article of manufacture, aporcelain shell for a waterproof socket, having a lower mouth fitted to receive the base of the lamp, a center aperture and two side rivetapertures extending from the mouth to the upper surface of the shell, all of the apertures being enlarged at their upper ends, and the enlarged portions of the two rivet-apertures being of diiferent depths.

2. As a new article of manufacture, aporcelain shell for a waterproof socket, having a lower mouth fitted to receive the lamp-base, a central tapering depression therein, and three apertures extending from the mouth to the upper surface of the shell, two of said apertures being outwardly arranged and formed with upper enlargements of different depths, the third aperture being centrally arranged to extend from the tapering depression and having an upper enlarged portion larger than the enlarged portions of the rivet-apertures and connected by a slot to the rivet-aperture having the deeper enlarged portion.

3. In a waterproof socket, the combination with a single piece,porcelain, supportingbase and inclosin g shell having a mouth to receive the lamp-base and apertures extending therefrom to the other surface of the shell, of a central terminal arranged in the mouth, a line-wire connected to said terminal, a circular terminal arranged in the mouth and having a flange fitting against the upper surface of the mouth, of rivets arranged in said apertures and having their points upset to engage with said flange and retain the circular terminal in position, one of said rivets being hollow, and a line-wire having a stripped portion arranged within said hollow rivet and soldered in contact with the flange.

t. In a waterproof socket, the combination with the porcelain shell, havinga lower mouth to receive the lamp-base and apertures extending therefrom to its upper surface, said apertures having upper enlargements of unequal depth, of central and outer terminals arranged in the mouth, the outer terminal being formed with a flange fitting against the porcelain shell, and rivets arranged in the apertures and engaging with the flange to secure the outer terminal in position, said rivets having their heads arranged in the apertureenlargements and the rivet extending from the enlargement of least depth, being tubular or hollow.

5. In a socket, the combination with the shell of insulating material, having the mouth to receive the lamp-base, a center aperture extending from the mouth to the upper surface, side rivet-apertures extending from the mouth to the upper surface, a central terminal arranged in the center aperture, means to connect one line-wire thereto, a circular terminal arranged in the mouth to engage with a corresponding terminal on the lampbase,an integral in wardly-extending flange on said circular terminal arranged to fit against the porcelain shell around the central aperture, and means for retaining said circular terminal in position, consisting of rivets arranged in the side apertures, extending into the mouth and upset to engage with the flange on the circular terminal, one of said rivets being hollow, and of the otherline-wire having its stripped portion extending through the hollow rivet and also upset to engage with the flange.

6. Ina waterproof socket, the combination with the single piece, porcelain, supporting-base and inclosing shell, formed below with a mouth to receive the lamp-base and with upwardly-enlarged apertures extending therefrom to the upper surface of the shell, of a central terminal arranged in the mouth, a line-wire connected to said central terminal, rivets arranged with their heads in the upper enlargements of the apertures, their IIO shanks fitting the smaller portion of the apertures and their points upset to engage with the flange on the circular terminal to retain that terminal in position, one of said rivets being elongated and hollow, and the opposite line-wire having its lower portion extending straight from aboveinto the aperture in which the hollow rivet is arranged, and its end stripped and extending through said hollow rivet and soldered in contact with the flange.

7. In an incandescent lamp-socket, the base provided with an outer threaded-shell terminal to engage with the lamp-base, means for securing said terminal in position and connecting one line-wire thereto, a central terminal having an enlarged head, a threaded shank extending through an aperture in the base, a nut fitted to the shank to secure the central terminal in place and to connect the line-wire thereto, and a spiral spring sup ported on said head to make contact with the central lam p-terminal, a portion of said spring being arranged above the enlarged head around said shank and clamped in position between the head and the base.

8. In a waterproof socket for incandescent electric lamps, the combination with the shell of insulating material, having at its lower end the mouth to receive the lamp-base, provided with a central tapering depression, a center aperture and two outer rivet-apertures extending from the mouth to the upper surface of the base, said apertures having upper enlargements, those of the two rivet-apertures being of different depth and the enlargement of greater depth being connected by a slot to the enlargement of the central aperture, an outer terminal arranged in the mouth and having an integral flange, rivets fitted to said rivet-apertures, having their heads arranged in the enlargements and their points upset to engage with the flange to hold the outer terminal securely in place, the longer of said rivets being tubular and the shorter solid, a central terminal having an elongated head, a coil-spring arranged around said head, an integral threaded shank extending through the center aperture, and a nut fitted to said threaded shank to engage with one of the line-wires, and to hold the central terminal in place, and line-wires having their insulated portions arranged in the enlargements of the rivet-apertures, the stripped end of one extending through the hollow rivet to the flange, where it is soldered in place, the stripped end of the other extending from the other rivetaperture through the groove to the enlargement of the center aperture Where it is arranged around the shank of the central terminal.

9 In a waterproof socket for incandescent electric lamps, the combination with the shell of insulating material, having at its lower end the mouth to receive the lamp-base, provided with a central tapering depression, a center aperture and two outer rivet-apertures, extending from the mouth to the upper surface of the base, said apertures having upper enlargements, those of the tworivet-apertures being of different depth and the enlargement of greaterdepth being connected by a slot to the enlargement of the central aperture, of an outer terminal arranged in the mouth and having an integral flange, rivets fitted to said rivet-apertures, having their heads arranged in the enlargements and their points upset to engage with the flange to hold the outer terminal securely in place, a central terminal arranged in the center aperture, means for securing the central terminal in position, the line-wires, one extending into one of the rivetaperture enlargements and having a portion extending through the slot to be connected to the central terminal, and the other linewire having its stripped portion extending through the hollow rivet to the flange, where it is upset and soldered in place.

10. In a waterproof socket for incandescent electric lamps, the combination with a shell of insulating material, having at its lower end a mouth to receive the lamp-base, a center aperture and two side rivet-apertures extending from the mouth to the upper surface of the shell, said apertures having upper enlarged portions and the enlarged portion of the center aperture being connected by a slot to the enlarged portion of one side aperture, a center terminal arranged in the center aperture, one line-wire having its insulated portion arranged in the enlarged portion of one rivet-aperture and its stripped end extending through the slot to be connected to the center terminal, a circular terminal arranged in the mouth, and having an integral flange, tubular rivets fitted to the rivet-apertu res, having their points extending downwardly, and upset to engage with the flange, the second linewire having its insulated portion arranged in its rivet-aperture enlargement and its stripped portion extending through the hollow rivet arranged therein and upset and soldered to engage with the circular terminal flange, and an insulating-cement to fill the upper portion of the apertures.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

ALBERT P. SEYMOUR. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

O. O. ScHoENEoK, M. B. SMITH. 

